WHO HAS THE MIC? The Courage to Be Seen: Your Voice. Your Story. Your Opportunity

TOLGI® Courage Studio | December 2026 Series & Call for Speakers

Are you ready to stop being the best-kept secret in your industry?

Somewhere right now, someone needs the knowledge you have, the story you carry, or the solution you have spent years developing. Yet too often, brilliant professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, and changemakers remain invisible—not because they lack talent, but because they lack intentional spaces where their voices can be heard, their expertise recognized, and their contributions celebrated.

At Turning On the Lights Global Institute (TOLGI), we believe the time has come to change that.

This December, we are introducing two exciting experiences through our evolving TOLGI Spark Courage Studio, a community-centered platform designed to bring together leaders, creatives, entrepreneurs, and experts who are ready to turn their knowledge into action, meaningful connections, and opportunities for growth.

Why TOLG Courage Studio? Why Now?

Founded by Dr. Allana Da Graca, TOLGI Courage Studio was created around a simple but powerful belief: People do not need another place to sit quietly, consume information, and leave unchanged. They need spaces where they can be seen, heard, challenged, connected, and activated.

We are living in a time when artificial intelligence is transforming industries, digital communication is redefining opportunity, and professionals are being challenged to rethink how they build businesses, share their expertise, and remain relevant.

Yet technology alone cannot replace human connection.

Entrepreneurs still need collaborators. Artists need audiences. Authors need readers. Coaches need communities. Leaders need opportunities to communicate ideas that inspire meaningful change.

Tolgi Courage Studio® brings these worlds together through storytelling, digital innovation, professional development, creative expression, and intentional collaboration.

Our mission is to help people upgrade their mind, money, and soul while creating an ecosystem where courage leads to measurable action.

Two December Experiences. One Powerful Mission.

December 12, 2026 | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM EST

Who Has the Mic? Courage Amplified — Virtual Summit

Join us for an interactive online experience connecting entrepreneurs, digital communication professionals, authors, coaches, artists, and industry leaders.

Through engaging conversations, practical strategies, creative presentations, and networking opportunities, participants will explore how to strengthen their visibility, embrace digital innovation, communicate their value, and create new pathways for growth.

This is more than a virtual conference. It is an opportunity to discover new ideas, meet potential collaborators, and take action toward your next chapter.

December 18, 2026 | 6:30–9:00 PM EST

The Courage to Be Seen — Courage Studio LIVE DC × Reel Poetic Society

Our December celebration continues with an intimate, in-person experience in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

This evening will bring together spoken-word poets, entrepreneurs, creative professionals, and community leaders for an inspiring celebration of storytelling, courage, connection, and artistic expression.

Through featured performances, conversations, and live recording opportunities, we will celebrate the extraordinary voices shaping our communities.

We believe creativity and leadership belong in the same room.

CALL FOR SPEAKERS: WHO HAS THE MIC?

We are looking for dynamic voices from diverse industries who have something meaningful to teach, share, or demonstrate.

You do not need to be a celebrity, bestselling author, or professional keynote speaker.

You do need to have a message that matters—and the willingness to help someone else move forward.

Here is the question we want every applicant to consider:

"If you had just a few minutes to help someone break through a barrier that is keeping them invisible, financially stagnant, creatively stuck, or personally unfulfilled, what would you teach them to upgrade their mind, money, or soul—and what courageous action would you challenge them to take next?"

We want speakers who can move beyond motivation and offer practical insights, compelling stories, useful resources, and clear next steps.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome applications from professionals across industries, including:

• Entrepreneurs and business strategists who can teach growth, revenue development, partnerships, and innovation.

• AI, technology, and digital communication professionals who can demonstrate tools that improve visibility, productivity, and opportunity.

• Financial educators and wealth-building professionals who can share practical approaches to financial confidence and economic empowerment.

• Authors, storytellers, spoken-word artists, and creatives who use their work to inspire transformation and meaningful conversations.

• Coaches, educators, and leadership professionals who help people overcome limiting beliefs, develop confidence, and take action.

• Wellness, personal development, and community leaders who can offer tools for resilience, purpose, connection, and personal growth.

We especially encourage professionals with fresh perspectives, lived experience, and a genuine desire to support others to apply.

How to Apply: Your Two-Minute Courage Audition

Application Deadline: November 10, 2026

To be considered for a featured speaker opportunity, please complete the following steps:

Step 1: Create a two-minute video.

Record yourself answering the central question:

How can someone upgrade their mind, money, or soul through the knowledge, experience, or expertise you bring?

Your video should introduce who you are, identify one challenge your audience faces, share a practical solution, and offer one courageous action viewers can take.

Step 2: Upload your video to YouTube.

Set your video visibility to Unlisted, not Private, so our selection team can view it through your link.

Step 3: Prepare your speaker information.

Include your full name, professional title, industry, proposed presentation title, a brief description of your message, and a link to your website, portfolio, or professional résumé.

Step 4: Offer an audience gift.

Every applicant should identify one free resource they can provide to summit participants. This could be a downloadable worksheet, checklist, digital guide, reflection exercise, prompt collection, mini-training, or other practical resource.

Your gift should help participants take action on what they learn. It should be genuinely useful and not require a purchase.

Step 5: Submit your application.

Email your unlisted YouTube video link and speaker information to subscriber@tolgispark.com with the subject line:

WHO HAS THE MIC — SPEAKER APPLICATION.

OR SUBMIT DIRECTLY ON OUR EVENTS PAGE

Applications must be received by November 10, 2026.

What Happens If You Are Selected?

Selected speakers will be invited to share their expertise as part of our December Courage Studio experiences, subject to the program's final format and schedule.

Speakers may have opportunities to introduce their work, connect with fellow professionals, contribute a valuable resource to participants, and receive promotional visibility through our event communications and digital platforms.

Specific speaking times, presentation formats, promotional opportunities, and participation details will be shared directly with selected applicants.

Submitting an application does not guarantee selection.

The Time to Be Seen Is Now

For years, Dr. Allana Da Graca has championed the importance of confidence, courageous communication, entrepreneurship, and the power of storytelling to transform lives.

Through Turning On the Lights Global Institute and the International Women Build Confidence Conference, she has witnessed what happens when people move from hesitation to action.

Courage Studio represents the next chapter of that mission.

We are not simply building an audience. We are building an ecosystem of people willing to share their knowledge, support one another, celebrate creativity, and create opportunities that extend beyond a single event.

Imagine what could happen if the right person heard your message.

Imagine the collaboration that could begin with one conversation.

Imagine someone deciding not to give up because you shared the lesson they needed to hear.

That is why your voice matters.

That is why we are asking:

WHO HAS THE MIC?

Perhaps this December, it should be you.

Apply to speak by November 10, 2026.

Attend our December experiences:https://www.tolgispark.com/events

Speaker applications:subscriber@tolgispark.com

Turning On the Lights Global Institute | TOLGI Spark Courage Studio

Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Courageous. Take Action.

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